Florida State Seminoles' quarterback Jordan Travis: 'I have a lot of unfinished business'

Jordan Travis' time at Florida State is not over yet.

On Monday, the redshirt junior signal caller announced his intention to return to the Seminoles for the 2023 season.

There has been speculation for much of the season on whether Travis would be done following his fifth year in college and the fourth with FSU.

Following Saturday's practice, Travis answered why he ultimately decided to return.

"I honestly felt like I needed another year,” Travis said. “Just to keep going and to show what I can do. I feel like I improved a lot this year. I have a lot of unfinished business.

"I came to Florida State to win every single game I play and win a championship at the end of the day."

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Travis helped lead the Seminoles to a 9-3 season and they'll take on Oklahoma (6-6) in the Cheez-It Bowl Dec. 29 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando (5:30 p.m. on ESPN).

The Seminoles are seeking their first 10-win season since 2016.

Travis threw for 2,796 yards, 22 touchdowns and four interceptions in his first season of being the unquestioned starter in his career. He also added 75 rushes for 367 yards and seven touchdowns.

For good measure, Travis also had a two-yard receiving touchdown.

"I think he's one of the best players in college football," Norvell said following Friday's practice. "It's going to be continued progress, continued confidence, taking his game to the next level with every detail. There's not just one specific area, 'this is where you need to improve,' it's why he's gotten to the point he's gotten to.

"Because he takes that all-inclusive approach, the ownership of every action, just the leader that he is and what he brings to his programs. It's what makes him special. So, we're going to focus on all areas and continue to grow."

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Weight off shoulders

Travis said he knew halfway through this season he was coming back, despite initially making a comment that this would be his final season during the ACC Media Day in Charlotte in July.

For Travis, his key was the timing of when to announce it.

"It took a lot of weight off my shoulders," Travis said. "I was thinking about it a lot. I just couldn't wait to get it out there. I was trying really hard, trying to push it out there, but they wanted to make the timing right. I am happy it's out, I am happy to come back."

While many fans wondered about Travis' decision leading up to and following the season finale against rival Florida Gators, some of his teammates disclosed they knew Travis' intentions beforehand.

“I definitely knew about him coming back before a lot of people knew,” FSU WR Mycah Pittman said. “It was great. The momentum is there; we know what we’re capable of doing, and we believe in coach Norvell leading us, and we believe in J-Trav leading us... I’m just proud of him; I’m proud of the way he’s playing; I’m proud of this team."

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Recruiting for big 2023

Part of the reason Travis wanted to announce quickly about his return was to get out ahead of the recruiting potential players both in high school and in the portal.

"That's why I wanted to get it out, so everyone could see I was coming back and I could go reach out to guys, he said. "That was important."

FSU has been active in the transfer portal coming into this season, with Travis himself being a Louisville transfer.

The Seminoles added Pittman, as well as leading receiver Johnny Wilson, running back Trey Benson, linebacker Tatum Bethune and defensive end Jared Verse, among others, through the portal ahead of last season.

Travis added he assisted a little in getting the transfers added to the team last season.

His pitch to new recruits has been Norvell and how the culture the third-year coach has built has led to a lot of players not opting out of the bowl game, despite graduating, transferring or turning pro.

"That's what I was talking to the recruits about," Travis said. "It shows what kind of coach Coach Norvell is. There are a lot of guys in the transfer portal who are not even thinking of playing in a bowl game. It just shows how much respect we have for him.

"This is a special place. He's a special person. Everyone has respect for him. He's helped us a lot grow. He tells us how it is, that's what I think people respect most about him.

With all of those players, except Verse and Wilson having announced they are returning, Travis said he has looked ahead a little to the 2023 season.

"We're going to be special," Travis said. "We have a lot of guys with experience. But we have another game to finish, which is important."

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Giving back

Travis is one of the several FSU players who have signed on with the new NIL collective, "The Battle's End."

While he's part of the new wave of college players who will be paid for their name, image and likeness, Travis said he'll give back to the community when he can with his new opportunity.

"They've been trying to get this around for a while now. We're lucky to be a part of it now," he said. "But honestly, I think of it as an opportunity to give back to the community. When you're doing this stuff, you're getting money, but you have to give back to the community.

"You're doing things, helping kids out, going to schools, reading to kids. That's the most important thing for me, going out and helping people out. I feel like that's important. We have a lot of impact on people. Our platform is amazing and we have to continue to use it."

GAME INFORMATION

Who: No. 13 Florida State vs. Oklahoma

When/Where: Dec. 29, 5:30 p.m.; Camping World Stadium in Orlando

TV: ESPN

Reach Ehsan Kassim at ekassim@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter at @Ehsan_Kassim. You can also follow our coverage on Facebook (NoleSports) and Instagram (tlhnolesports).

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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU football QB Jordan Travis: 'I have a lot of unfinished business'